YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Our Lady of Częstochowa Queen of Poland Council 14004 - Radom, PolandTicket for a Brother - The Youth From Ukraine in Radom

In this project, Council 14004 helped the youth from eastern Ukraine to attend World Youth Day 2016 in Kraków, Poland, where they had the opportunity of meeting with Pope Francis.

Volunteers included 170 devoted Knights, numerous World Youth Day concert participants, 30 families who opened their homes to the youth and 42 volunteers who worked in Kraków. Knights of Columbus volunteered 8,500 hours of service. Additionally, the council donated over 50,000 złoty (the Polish monetary unit).

First, Council 14004 invited a group of 50 young people from the war-torn areas of eastern Ukraine to participate in World Youth Day 2016. Next, the council organized fundraisers - which included four concerts and auctions featuring gifts donated by celebrities - to garner support from the local parishes and community.

Finally, prior to sending the youth to World Youth Day, the council arranged pilgrimages to Our Lady of Częstochowa Parish in Radom and the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Kraków-Łagiewniki.

The council sponsored registration tickets and packets to the World Youth Day events, and they also paid for travel expenses. Moreover, for six days before World Youth Day, the Knights and their families hosted young Ukrainians in their parish and sponsored religious activities and entertainment.

This project not only helped young Catholics achieve their dream of attending World Youth Day, but also built solidarity in the local community and developed relationships within the parish.